The police union sent a flyer to all residents and the City Manager has issued the following press release in response. The Police Benevolent Association “union” is conducting a propaganda campaign intended to frighten Wilton Manors residents. It is now clear that the union is doing this to gain ‘leverage’ during contract negotiations. City Manager Joseph Gallegos: in contract negotiations. The people of Wilton Manors deserve the safest possible streets and they should have confidence that they are protected by a well-run, professional Police Department. On my watch, that’s exactly what they are going to get.” The union’s latest tactic included a flyer mailed to all residents that says the City Manager is trying to “dismantle” the Wilton Manors Police Department with the intent to turn over public safety work to the Broward County Sheriff’s office. Incredibly, this comes just days after the City Commission publicly and formally voted to retain our local police force and not contract with any outside police department. It is now quite clear that the union is continuing to re-circulate this rumor in an obvious attempt to strong arm negotiations through unconscionable methods. Further, the charge that the City Manager has in any way demonstrated anything less than respect for the rank and file police officers is simply untrue. The City of Wilton Manors and the union are currently in the middle of contract negotiations and while the City has continued to listen and to respond with offers and counter offers, the union has chosen to bring the public into the process while at the same time forcing a tax hike on the very people they are manipulating to do their pressure work. The police officers currently receive a very lucrative salary and benefit package that is first class compared to many other professions. However, the union is demanding increased payouts and retirement benefits above and beyond their current wage and benefit package that would cost taxpayers in excess of $1.6 million in just three years. Considering that the City’s total annual general fund budget is around $12 million and the Police Department’s budget already stands at $4.3 million, that kind of expense for increased benefits is much more than what would be sustainable for a city of our size. The City Commission intends to continue to negotiate in good faith and eventually come to an agreement that is both fair for the officers and responsible to the taxpayers. The majority of the mail and phone calls received by the Commission have been in support of financial prudence and considering the overall cost to the taxpayer to provide professional public safety. It is true that a pubic safety consultant’s recent report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Police Department was very critical of the operations, expenditures and particularly the Department’s upper management. The former Chief of Police was never asked to implement each and every one of the consultant’s recommendations. He was, however, unwilling to consider any recommendation to reduce costs to taxpayers. It is the goal of the City to provide its residents, businesses and visitors with quality police services. That is why the City is proud to provide its officers with an offer of excellent salary increases and benefits package over the next three years including a generous pension plan. |
